BETA leans in, touches ALEX and there is a flash and shock between them.

CYRUS is busy starting the vehicle.

EXT. STARCAR –- NIGHT

BETA runs off as the star car’s door closes and the engines spool up.

INT. STARCAR –- NIGHT

ALEX is confused and worried.

ALEX

What was that!?

EXT. CAR PARK –- NIGHT

Two XURIAN HITBEASTS come out of the dark nearby and take cover. One leans on

a dumpster and takes aim.

INT. STARCAR –- NIGHT

CYRUS is driving towards the car park exit. He is busy punching buttons and

ALEX is getting worried.

CYRUS

They must have found you already!

ALEX

Who found me!?

CYRUS

Xurian hit beasts.

ALEX

Xurian? Isn’t Xur dead!?

EXT. CARPARK -– NIGHT

The star car quickly drives out of the carpark and onto the road, taking another hit on the rear. It causes small chaos as it joins the traffic.

Other road users are astonished by the odd-looking futuristic vehicle. A car-

load of homeboys spot it.

HOMEY ONE

Yo, Teep, check out the sleek ride, man.

HOMEY TWO

Woo, maybe Japanese or European, yo bro?

EXT. ROADWAY -– NIGHT

The star car pulls away in front of the traffic at tremendous speed.

INT. STARCAR –- NIGHT

ALEX and JOLLY are being thrown around in the back as CYRUS drives.

CYRUS

Hold on back there!

CYRUS hits a switch above his head.

EXT. STARCAR –- NIGHT

Panels open and fold away on the rear of the vehicle, exposing engine thrust

nozzles. They begin to softly glow with new sounds.

EXT. ROADWAY – NIGHT

The star car roars up an exit ramp that goes upwards.

Its engines ignite!

INT. STARCAR –- NIGHT

ALEX is pulled back in their seats as the vehicle accelerates even more. He

wraps his arm around JOLLY.

ALEX

(to JOLLY)

Hold on, boy!

EXT. ROADWAY –- NIGHT

The star car leaves the exit ramp and launches into the air, climbing steadily

away from the Earth.

INT. STARCAR –- NIGHT

Looking out the front cockpit windows, clouds begin to drift by as CYRUS

pilots the vehicle up towards the sky.

EXT. SPACE –- EARTH

The star car climbs up towards the camera, the planet in the B.G., passing and

we pan as it flies out to space.

INT. STARCAR

CYRUS is busy preparing for the jump to star drive. The engines wind down and ALEX and JOLLY relax.

ALEX

So, you going to tell me about Xur?

CYRUS

Yes, Alex. When you attacked Xur’s warship, he managed to

slip away in an escape pod during all the commotion.

ALEX

(thinking)

Twenty years ago?

CYRUS

Yes. He has returned with a loyal force that threatens

The Star League and intergalactic peace.

ALEX

I see. So why am I here?

CYRUS

We learnt that Xur sent a scout ship to Earth to capture

you, as a trophy. I was sent to get you off your planet.

But you can bet your asteroids the lazy space bugs were

alerted to my mission and followed me instead.

ALEX

What about my family?

CYRUS

No need to worry, Alex. Beta’s taking care of your

affairs on Earth as we speak. Now entering star drive.

ALEX appears worried.

ALEX

(sarcastically)

Great.

EXT. SPACE -- STARCAR

The star car enters star drive.

EXT. FIELD –- NIGHT

BETA is running and panting. His physical appearance has changed strangely and he is still transforming. He looks like a weird-looking ALEX. The two XURIAN

HITBEASTS are chasing him, firing a shot that hits the ground nearby. BETA

eyes an approaching large truck rolling along the highway nearby the field. He runs across the road. The HITBEASTS are on the other side of the road, waiting to get across through the traffic. Firing a shot into the wheels, Beta watches the truck swerve and run over the HITBEASTS.

The truck comes to a stop and the driver gets out to inspect what appears to be a blown tire.

BETA

Oh boy.

BETA holds his breath as he scans the scene for any survivors. The HITBEATS

appear to be finished, so he catches his breath and walks slowly off in another direction.

EXT. SPACE –- STARCAR

The star car is cruising in star drive. The stars are blurred lines as it

passes the camera. It drops out of star drive and into normal space.

INT. STARCAR –- COCKPIT

CYRUS brings the microphone to his mouth and speaks Rylan. He is requesting

landing clearance. A Rylan voice speaks back to him from the radio, clearing

him for landing.

ALEX looks out the window at the beautiful planet. JOLLY takes a look as well, panting, happy.

EXT. RYLOS –- HORIZON -- NIGHT

The planet spins and tilts slowly below us as the star car zooms into frame and

away from us, descends down.

EXT. RYLOS –- LAND –- NIGHT

The land blurs past us at speed as the star car overtakes us and heads toward a

landing bay entrance.

EXT. RYLOS –- STAR LEAGUE COMMAND CENTER -- LANDING BAY

CYRUS sets down the star car and the doors open. CYRUS climbs out, followed

by ALEX. A maintenance crew start moving in and securing the vehicle.

CYRUS

You’ll have to leave your pet in the shuttle for now,

Alex.

ALEX

Oh right.

ALEX tells JOLLY to stay and he obeys. The rear door closes but the side

window is slightly open, so he can breathe. ALEX and CYRUS walk off towards

buildings.

INT. RYLOS –- STAR LEAGUE COMMAND CENTER -- CORRIDOR

ALEX is bewildered by all the people and technology of Rylos, looking around

everywhere as they walk. Rylan dialog is spoken over the loudspeaker in the

background. CYRUS hands him a universal translator button.

CYRUS

Here, put this on.

ALEX

Ahh, thanks, makes life a lot easier around here.

ALEX applies the button to his collar and it beeps, he stops to listen for the

change, and it instantly switches from Rylan language to English. He catches

up to CYRUS , who has stopped and turned around.

CYRUS

Alex, you must stay close. Unfortunately, there are

Xurian sympathizers inside The Star League who may attempt

to harm you.

ALEX gulps and becomes a little nervous.

ALEX

Okay.

They walk on.

INT. RYLOS –- STAR LEAGUE COMMAND CENTER -- CONFERENCE ROOM

ALEX and CYRUS walk into a conference room with a large meeting table, that

overlooks the busy command center itself, Star League officers busy with their

station duties. ALEX is watching them when the PRESIDENT walks in with some

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

PRESIDENT

Alex! I can’t express how good it is that you’re here

with us once more.

ALEX

(politely)

Ahh, nice to be here.

PRESIDENT greets ALEX and they all sit down.

PRESIDENT

Sorry to have suddenly wisped you off Earth like that but

it was crucial that we found you before Xur did.

ALEX

And I’m glad you did.

PRESIDENT

Very well.

(beat)

Alex, Xur survived our last victory many years ago and

has been building a new force to break apart the peace we

THE LAST STARFIGHTER

have long-established in this galaxy.

PRESIDENT hits a few switches on his control panel on the table and a large

screen comes alive with The Last Starfighter logo behind him. All eyes turn to the

screen as PRESIDENT gets up and explains. An animation of the Frontier

displays, portraying PRESIDENT’s words.

PRESIDENT (CONT’D)

Twelve rotations ago, Xur injected a Frontier module with

a computer virus. The virus has been spreading throughout

the vast network and we estimate that collapse is now only

2 rotations away.

ALEX reacts and listens.

PRESIDENT (CONT’D)

Star League scientists have been trying to stop or slow

the virus without success. All we can do now is to find a

way to stop Xur before or after he passes through the

Frontier unchallenged.

(beat, turns to ALEX)

Alex, now that you’re here, we need you. We need the

greatest Starfighter that ever served in The Star League .

ALEX wasn’t expecting that. He reacts humbly, looks around the rooms at

everyone’s faces.

PRESIDENT (CONT’D)

Will you help us, Alex?

ALEX thinks.

ALEX

I .. I don’t know.

PRESIDENT

You would be such a strong boost for our wounded force.

ALEX

What about the squadrons of Gun stars and pilots I trained?

EXECUTIVE OFFICER 1

Our fleet is constantly being reduced by Xur’s sneak

attacks and efforts to bring in supplies for repairs are

being sabotaged by sympathizers.

PRESIDENT

It is a desperate situation.

ALEX thinks.

ALEX

I can’t. I made promises that I would stay away from

intergalactic space battles.

PRESIDENT sighs and looks at his officers.

PRESIDENT

There’s something else. Your old friend Grig has been

captured.

ALEX is startled and saddened by the statement.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER 1

Grig and a team of Starfighter s were on a routine patrol when they were captured. They are being held in the

Xurian prison.

(beat)

It is only a matter of time before Xur reaches Earth. He

is a threat to all galaxies.

ALEX thinks for a moment.

ALEX

Alright, count me in.

Joy spreads around the room as ALEX agrees.

PRESIDENT

This is fantastic, Alex!

(beat)

But you must now get some rest. A strategic planning

session will start first thing in the morning. Is there

anything we can do for you?

ALEX

Well, I was about to have dinner before I left Earth.

PRESIDENT

Cyrus ?

CYRUS takes his cue and everyone gets up and leaves the room. CYRUS walks to ALEX and says quietly...

CYRUS

Are you sure you made the right decision, Alex?

ALEX

We’ll find out.

INT. RYLOS –- STAR LEAGUE COMMAND CENTER -- CORRIDOR

CYRUS and ALEX walk through the corridors heading towards his quarters.

ALEX

So when can I see Centari?

CYRUS

Alex, I’m afraid I have some more bad news.

(beat)

Centari has passed on to the next dimension.

Alex is sad. CYRUS puts his hand on his back.

ALEX stops walking, realizes what he means and deals with it, understands.

ALEX

When?

CYRUS

About 3 of your Earth years ago. He was a great man, and

a great service to The Star League.

ALEX

Yes.

CYRUS

He was very fond of you, the “greatest Starfighter in the

galaxy, and I found him!” he used to say.

(beat)

Come on.

CYRUS moves ALEX on, they continue walking.

CYRUS

I’ve been carrying on his affairs since he left us. You

see, I’m his brother.

ALEX spins around, astonished.

ALEX

I knew it! I knew there was something familiar about you.

CYRUS

You are very observant.

ALEX

So do you still recruit from Earth?

CYRUS

OH, no. Star League regulations strictly . . .

Suddenly there are ALARMS blaring away. The P.A. comes alive.

P.A.

Alien intruder alert in sector nine, alien intruder alert!

Security to sector nine!

ALEX and CYRUS stand awkwardly as they listen and then react.

CYRUS

Quick, Alex! That’s close, could be an inside Xurian

attack.

ALEX and CYRUS start running further down the corridors as a SECURITY TEAM can be heard running up closer to them. There is laser rifle fire and ALEX looks

back down as he runs. He spots something and stops.

ALEX

Wait!

CYRUS is worried, grabs his arm. ALEX won’t move. The SECURITY TEAM get

nearer.

SECURITY OFFICER 1

There it goes! Stop it!

A SECURITY OFFICER fires and misses a running and panting JOLLY. JOLLY is too

quick. Another OFFICER fires and misses. ALEX starts coming back.

ALEX

Wait! Hold your fire! Don’t shoot!

ALEX runs down the corridor towards JOLLY and they meet. ALEX is stroking him

and telling him it’s okay. CYRUS calms down the SECURITY OFFICERS, who look

annoyed.

CYRUS

It’s okay, it’s his pet. You can return to your stations.

ALEX and CYRUS continue walking on as the SECURITY TEAM moves off in the other direction and disband. One suspicious-looking OFFICER waits and lets others

pass. When they are gone, he looks back at ALEX and eyes him curiously before going off in another direction.